Taranaki revel in wind and rain

TARANAKI 36 OTAGO 30

Taranaki flattened an All Black-stacked Otago lineup in atrocious conditions in New Plymouth.

Not even the wind and rain lashing the new Yarrow Stadium could dampen the spirits of the 9000-strong home crowd as their team notched their second win from as many matches on Saturday night.

The crowd loved every minute of it, especially the 25-minute purple patch in the second half that netted 29 points as the amber-and-blacks dragged themselves back from a 24-7 deficit to lead 36-27.

Only a late penalty goal by first five-eighths Blair Feeney - his sixth of the game - gave the visitors a bonus point for the trip north.

In stark contrast, Taranaki secured five competition points - four for the win and a bonus point for scoring four tries or more.

It set up a tantalising top-of-the-table clash with Waikato in New Plymouth on Saturday.

The new chant of "Naki, Naki, Naki" rekindled memories of the province's brief Ranfurly Shield reign in 1996.

Otago, with seven present or former All Blacks, had first use of the wind and rain, but their 12-point halftime lead did not seem enough.

But a try straight after the break to flanker Kelvin Middleton threatened to gatecrash the celebrations.

Back to full strength, with hooker Andrew Hore returning to the fray after 10 minutes in the sin bin, Taranaki roared back on to attack, with lock Reece Robinson grabbing his second try of the night when driven over by an amber-and-black wave.

His first try came 15 minutes into the match. Hore slipped the defence 30m out, found halfback Brendan Haami in support and flicked the ball to Robinson.

The New Zealand Maori lock dragged three defenders over the goal line and, despite television replays showing Robinson had not grounded the ball, the try was awarded.

Taranaki were right back in the hunt when No 8 Chris Masoe crashed over to close the gap to 24-19, and that was trimmed to 24-22 when Daryl Lilley banged over a penalty goal midway through the spell.

Feeney gave Otago a breather with a penalty goal, then winger Shayne Austin sliced through for a try near the posts to level at 27-27.

Lilley's conversion was successful, giving Taranaki the lead for the first time, with 13 minutes still on the clock.

Then came the try of the match, hatched from a Haami kick which looked harmless as it sailed into the Otago in-goal area. A wicked bounce left the Otago defence high and dry, and Austin flew through to pluck the ball out of the air and score.

The nightmare bounce summed up Otago's night.

Taranaki's win was based on strong defence in the first half and better use of the conditions in the second spell.

And, like their opening 23-20 win against Auckland, a never-say-die attitude.

- NZPA